Here\u2019s a look at some of the updates to Brock University\u2019s COVID-19 response for Wednesday, May 20:<\/p>\n
The Government of Ontario announced Wednesday<\/a> that it was taking important steps to reducing the financial barriers to post-secondary education.<\/p>\n Starting immediately, students can apply to the Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) for the 2020-21 school year. The government has also announced a six-month deferral of loan payments and interest through Sept. 30.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brock to hold Virtual Spring Convocation<\/strong><\/p>\n With in-person ceremonies on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brock University\u2019s 107th Convocation, originally scheduled for the second week of June, will move online.<\/p>\n A future in-person celebration is also planned when it\u2019s safe to do so.<\/p>\n Rather than just a one-day celebration, Virtual Convocation, which will launch Friday, June 19, will be a web-based portal where each of the University\u2019s more than 3,000 graduands will get a tailored experience based on their Faculty, and whether they\u2019re an undergraduate or graduate student.<\/p>\n Read the full story in The Brock News<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Access to campus for non-research activities <\/strong><\/p>\n With the COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, access to Brock\u2019s campus is limited. For faculty and staff who need access to the University for non-research purposes, which include teaching, learning and the move to primarily online delivery of undergraduate and graduate courses for the Fall 2020 semester,\u00a0this access request form<\/a> must be completed. A separate request must be filled out for each individual course\/project requiring access.<\/p>\n EXEMPTION:\u00a0Faculty and staff who require one-time, short duration (less than one hour) access to their office to retrieve personal items\u00a0that are necessary to continue working remotely are not required to complete this form. Access will remain as currently in place whereby the faculty or staff member can proceed\u00a0through the main doors of the Rankin Family Pavilion, present staff ID and sign in and out at the desk staffed by Campus Security.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n President Gervan Fearon looks forward to welcoming students to Brock this fall<\/strong><\/p>\n In a video message released Friday, Brock President Gervan Fearon says the University is gearing up for the upcoming Fall Term with a commitment to providing the outstanding student experience for which the University is known.<\/p>\n He says Brock\u2019s award-winning faculty members and dedicated staff are working diligently to contribute to having a successful academic year while following public health guidelines and ensuring that safety is a top priority.<\/p>\n See the President’s message on YouTube here.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Update from Brock Central<\/strong><\/p>\n On-campus operations may be temporarily suspended, but Brock Central remains committed to supporting the student community. In addition to email service, Brock Central is offering service appointments through Microsoft Bookings. Students can book a\u00a0virtual appointment\u00a0directly with a Brock Central team member for quick and easy service.\u00a0Appointments are\u00a0not\u00a0available on-campus at this time.<\/p>\n Click here for easy access to Bookings<\/a>. Once an appointment has been made, Bookings\u00a0will automatically send a confirmation via email, containing instructions to join the appointment virtually with Brock Central.\u00a0This confirmation may route to a folder other than your in-box, so please check all other folders if it doesn\u2019t arrive.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Printing Services working on-site to support the Brock community<\/strong><\/p>\n Printing Services continues to work to support the University community: printing offer letters for the Office of the Registrar, materials for Recruitment, along with postcards, thank you cards, brochures and booklets.<\/p>\n The team has also been busy contributing to cutting and drilling the plastic face shields used for personal protective equipment head bands and they have now begun preparing the diplomas for the 2020 graduates.<\/p>\n Read the full story in The Brock News<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Morneau Shepell releases new resources for Brock employees<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock\u2019s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, Morneau Shepell, has released new resources focused on adjusting to life post-pandemic.<\/p>\n Articles on returning to work and school, self-care, talking to your children post-pandemic and ways to help the local community can all be found on Brock\u2019s Employee Wellness website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Further resources and information can be found in Morneau Shepell\u2019s COVID-19 toolkit<\/a> or within their complimentary webinars<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Supporting high-quality online\u00a0teaching and learning at Brock<\/strong><\/p>\n The Centre for Pedagogical Innovation (CPI) has been working closely with faculty, sessional instructors, teaching assistants (TAs) and lab demonstrators during this time of transition to prepare for blended and fully online teaching and learning.<\/p>\n Virtual Teaching Interest Groups have been developed that will allow for participation in sessions related to online teaching in large classes, graduate classes, lab-based courses, fourth-year seminar courses and language learning \u2014 with more to be developed.<\/p>\n As instructors prepare new online courses or revise existing courses, please consult the CPI\u2019s\u00a0Flexible Teaching and Learning webpage<\/a>, which contains continually-updated resources.\u00a0The CPI is also focused on training for TAs through an\u00a0Online TA Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mental health resources \u2014 update for students<\/strong><\/p>\n Brock is dedicated to supporting students with mental health resources.<\/p>\n Face-to-face counselling is currently not available, however same-day drop-in counselling is still accessible. Email counselling@brocku.ca<\/a> to be contacted via Microsoft Teams with an appointment time and a counsellor\u2019s name.<\/p>\n For 24\/7 personal counselling phone 833-276-2533 (833-BROCK33).<\/p>\n From Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., students can access Student Health Services (SHS) by phoning 905-688-5550 x3243 to leave a message and contact number, or by emailing referralstaff@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Student Accessibility Services remains available for students and contact information can be found on the SAS website<\/a>.<\/p>\n